June 8 - next league game

originally i anticipated June 1 as our next league game, but Dan W. will be away on vacation. I think we should approach June 1 as a scrimmage, play with league teams, and prepare for a big game on June 8th.

Our last official game was March 16. How did this happen? Over two months have passed. In that time Mamba has experienced a flurry of injuries - Dislocated finger, hairline fractured foot, purple swollen thumb. But we've also held our first 3 point shooting contest and had player shirts made up. We've grown as competitive individuals and I think it's finally time to get back to Mamba's roots - die hard, playoff intensity basketball with money at stake. I await June 8th.

This brings me to a very serious concern -- In three days I will return to college, so I doubt that I'll have time to watch the game and record stats. Even typing this stings me. We are left with two options:

1. League games continue without stats
2. Another MAMBA player keeps stats.

If someone else chooses to step up and record the numbers, i can post them on the blog.

n

Injury Update - Neal

last monday i suffered two jams on the same thumb. a day later there was a purple ring around my thumb. actually it was more lavender colored, but it still stung.

the lavender has faded, but there is still mild soreness. i refuse to let this minor injury get in the way of tonight's game. Mamba is more than a league for middle-aged men. it is a state of mind. besides, tonight is the shirt unveiling, a milestone for the league.

b-flo is out on vacation, so my bro is filling in.

mamba,
neal

p.s. looks like shea is the winner in the baseball poll. we'll figure out a game to go to tonight.

The Eagle is Landing

A Few Updates:

* After weeks of intense physical and emotional recovery, the Eagle is finally coming home to Mamba. He will play this coming Monday. No one knows for sure if the injury will affect his game. Either way, the Eagle is showing true Mamba spirit by returning to the game.

* Mamba shirts are scheduled to arrive this Friday. I will bring them to Monday's game for the unveiling. Total comes out to $25 per man (shipping included.)

* These non-league games suck. I miss the days of feeling great after a night of good stats or feeling like shit after finding out i shot 23%. Since B-Flo is out next Monday and the 25th is a holiday, we should all plan to be ready for a league game on June 1st. Dr. Sessions recommended picking up practice jerseys to go along with the Mamba shirts. Dr., would you mind getting them? It also might be nice to throw in a little 3 point contest before the big game.

* Mamba is evolving into an activity club. We're planning an outing to one of the new stadiums, Yankee or Shea (I refuse to call it CitiField). Tickets will run about $40 each. If you want to be part of this outing, vote on which stadium you'd like to visit:

Need 3 tonight

Nick is in Florida, Phil is out until next Monday and Hot Shot has canceled yet again. His new name is No Show Koster.

We need 3 players.

neal

P.S - the updated schedule is on the left. We're scheduled to play every Monday thru June 22 with the exception of May 22, which is a holiday.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL - Dan W

he makes the most outrageous faces of any Mamba player. he can tell you everything about every NBA player who ever lived. he is Dan W, aka Weevil and here's a vacation inside his mind:

1. What are you?

A beetle belonging to the Curculionide family with an elongated snout that is destructive to nuts, fruits, stems and roots.

2. If you could be any beast, living or dead, real or fictional, which beast would you be? Why?

Probably the devil. He seems to have fun, no one can beat him, and I can keep my arrogance.

3. Your career stats are 21.5% FG, 8.0 Rbs/game, 0.9 Steals/game, 0.3 blocks/game, 0.9 assists/game. Which of these numbers are you satisfied with? Which categories are you looking to improve in? What are your ideal numbers?

I'm actually digusted by all of these numbers and very disappointed in myself for mis-producing them. I'd like them to be 40%, 15 rbs, oh, actually .9 steals is pretty good for me, i'll keep it (never been my thing)... 1.5 blocks, 3 assists... basically I expect to be at least above average at everything except steals, and very efficient from the field. But I've been nothing of the sort. I will point out however, that my points per game is still right near the league average, which tells you something about me. That no matter what, I manage to get mine.

4. Some people play like Sade - smooth and graceful, yet seductively manipulative. Others play like Slayer - hard, aggressive and fast. Which musical artist best symbolizes your game, and why?
Surprising you ask this, because I recently joined a band called Sadéyer, which exclusively performs Sadé songs in a Slayer style. And that sums me up as a player as well. I'm smooth yet ungraceful - aggressive yet slow.

5. Why did you choose # 42?

1) Hitchhiker's Guide 2) LOST

It basically means that I'm the answer to the big question of life, the universe, and everything. Or the solution to the Valenzetti equation, if you prefer.

6. Your signature shot?

Right handed baby hook from the left block.

7. Have you ever kissed a basketball?

Hmm, I don't remember doing it, but it's so easy to imagine that I'll say yes. I will gladly do it if it's important for some reason. I used to enjoy catching a dirty hackey-sack in my mouth.

INJURY UPDATE: Nick's Wounded Foot

Last Monday Patrick decided to place all of his weight on Nick's foot. Nick felt an incredible amount of pain the next day, so he went to see a doctor. Turns out he has a small hairline fracture in his 2nd metatarsal. The injury has left Nick with 2 really bad results -- 1. a throbbing pain in his foot and 2. a forced fashion faux-pas: wearing suits with sneakers. no man should have to do that.

i'm tempted to change Nick's MAMBA name from Stallion to Bigfoot, but i don't know if he'd like it.

Nick was a good man who enjoyed eating antipasto, watching The Sopranos, and looking at Italy on a globe. He was fond of mozzarella and he will be missed. Return soon, Bigfoot.

stay tuned on Monday for an UP CLOSE & PERSONAL with Dan W. a.k.a Weevil.

n

Skills Tests

i've thought up a few skills tests to go along with the 3-pt. shooting contest...yet another way to infuse gambling into Mamba.

1. Passing Accuracy - 3 cones set up at varying distances. You have 1 minute to hit as many cones as you can. Closest cone is worth 1, next closest is worth 3, furthest cone worth 5. Most points wins.

2. Sharp Shooter - 60 seconds, sink as many buckets as you can. You are your own rebounder. no going inside the green line (the green line is the shortened 3 pt. line). Most points wins.

3. 6 shots - timed skills test. start at half court. sink 1 shot from 3-pt range (top of the key), 1 free throw, and 1 layup. Run to the opposite end of the court and do the same. Best time wins.

kevin a.k.a dr. sessions suggested mixing up the skills tests to keep things interesting. if anyone has any other ideas, add them in comments.

n

p.s. here's a shot of nick's bruised foot after patrick stepped on it. the injuries continue to mount.